THE Philippine Space Agency is calling on the nation to observe Philippine Space Week from Aug. 8 to 14, 2026, advancing a national space mandate recently bolstered by explicit support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his State of the Nation Address.
Highlighting plans for a 2027 liquid-fueled sounding rocket test launch in Cagayan, Marcos declared that the province is geographically and economically primed to serve as the country’s gateway to space and host its first spaceport. He affirmed that the nation will launch a rocket into space, marking a major transition toward domestic launch capabilities and regional space integration.
Organized under the theme “Navigating Tomorrow,” the annual weeklong observance commemorates the passage of Republic Act 11363, also known as the Philippine Space Act, enacted on Aug. 8, 2019. Established by Proclamation No. 302, series of 2023, Philippine Space Week highlights the contributions of Filipino scientists and demonstrates how space data supports disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and national security.
The agency will host a public exhibit on Aug. 9 at Quantum Skyview in Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City. Running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the interactive showcase will feature Philippine space assets, scientific demonstrations, and educational programs detailing practical applications of orbital telemetry.
A central highlight of the day is the formal introduction of the eight-member crew participating in the Analog Habitat Waypoint Mission in Batangas this September. Organizers will detail how these researchers will undergo a 24-hour simulated spaceflight inside a specialized terrestrial habitat, testing physiological, operational, and life-support constraints to support broader human spaceflight research.
The day will also mark the official launch of OpenDronePH, an open-access platform designed to build a community of drone operators who will contribute aerial data to validate satellite observations, sharpen coastal mapping, and bolster local disaster risk management. Later in the afternoon, technical leads will present development updates on the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment, or MULA, the nation’s high-resolution Earth observation satellite built specifically for agricultural and environmental tracking.
Throughout the week, the agency will conduct forums, workshops, and program launches to expand operational capabilities. On Aug. 10, an international online forum on Asean space diplomacy will focus on regional slot management and orbital cooperation. The next day, the agency will sign formal agreements with more than 10 higher education institutions to expand the Pinas Academe Network, followed by technical workshops to integrate space applications into local university research. On Aug. 14, the agency will open the Space Business Innovation Camp, offering structured mentorship for commercial startups seeking to monetize satellite telemetry and location services. In partnership with the European Union, a specialized session will examine lessons from the National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme in the Philippines to refine the agency’s co-development framework for Earth observation data.
Nationwide public participation will be driven by three competitions. The GeoGuhit challenge invites participants to use satellite navigation technologies like Global Positioning Systems to create digital route art through physical activities like walking, running, or cycling. Primary students aged six to 12 can submit entries for a poster contest exploring off-world agriculture under the theme “Space Garden: Growing Food in Space.” Law students will compete in an essay contest proposing domestic legal frameworks to safeguard the welfare of future Filipino astronauts.
The space agency is encouraging local government units, academic institutions, private firms, and community groups to host independent activities such as lectures, stargazing sessions, and technical workshops. Registered events will be integrated into the official national program as the country strengthens its transition from a user of space services to an active provider in the space economy.
